Visiting Gwangjang Market in Seoul

I visited Seoul's Gwangjang Market with my family. Today, I'll share the opening hours and food options with you.

Operating Hours: The market is open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM, while the food alley is open from 9 AM to 11 AM. Although it's generally closed on Sundays, please note that it can vary from shop to shop. The address is 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul. You can reach them at 02-2267-0291, and there's parking available at Jongno 4-ga Jongmyo Parking Lot.

To find your way, you'll encounter multiple entrances, but don't fret—just follow the main path, and you'll discover the food alley.

1. Soonhee's Mung Bean Pancakes
- Operating Hours: Vary by branch (usually opens at 9 AM or 11 AM).
- Closing Time: Usually closes at 9 PM with the last order 30 minutes before.
- Restroom: Located inside.
- Prepayment accepted.

Soonhee's is a renowned mung bean pancake shop. I've loved their food ever since I first visited Gwangjang Market. Every visit is a must-stop for me! I recommend trying their assorted mung bean pancakes, including meat and mung bean varieties. Their meat pancakes, seasoned with just the right amount of pepper, are incredibly delicious. On the day I visited, it was a weekday, and the mung bean pancake was a bit less crispy than usual, which was a slight disappointment.

2. Park Ga-ne's Yukhoe (Beef Tartare) & Mung Bean Pancakes
- Operating Hours: Vary by branch (usually opens at 8 AM or 9 AM).
- Closing Time: Closes at 10 PM; restrooms are available inside.

Park Ga-ne has multiple branches within the market, including one where you can enjoy yukhoe and mung bean pancakes. The yukhoe is prepared quickly and served with a yolk to mix in, and while it might lack visual appeal, the taste is truly exceptional. The mung bean pancakes are thick, with a texture that reflects the character of mung beans. The staff here are also very friendly.

3. Changshin Yukhoe (Beef Tartare)
- Operating Hours: Vary by branch (usually opens at 9 AM or 10 AM).
- Closing Time: Closes at 9:50 PM, with the last order at 9:20 PM.

I visited Changshin Yukhoe a few years ago, and it's known for its generous serving of beef broth. It was a memorable, flavorful experience. As a specialized yukhoe restaurant, the taste here is truly outstanding.

4. Gang-gane Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)
- Operating Hours: 11 AM to 6 PM
- Closed on Mondays

Gang-gane offers a unique twist on tteokbokki, which is made with minced radish instead of water, giving it an eye-catching visual appeal. The flavor is a balance of spiciness and sweetness, and the chewy rice cakes are complemented by a slightly sweet sauce. Some might find it on the sweeter side, so it's a matter of personal preference. They also serve sweet rice drink (sikhye), which is incredibly sweet.

Food Stalls at Seoul Gwangjang Market

I tried various snacks here a few years ago. However, I wasn't impressed with everything I tasted. The tteokbokki looks enticing but didn't live up to my expectations. The sundae (Korean blood sausage) was okay, and I didn't get a chance to try the pig's feet and pig skin due to mixed reviews and unappetizing appearances. It might be worth revisiting these stalls to see if the flavors have improved.

Other Snacks and Offerings

- Fresh Fruit Juice: You'll find places that freshly squeeze fruit juices. There are several of these stalls, but the one I visited seemed particularly appealing.

- Apple Pie Vendor: There's a shop selling delicious apple pies.

- 365 Days Soju House: This shop sells a variety of alcoholic beverages and unique items, making it perfect for exploring on a hot summer day.

- Ho-seon Saeng (Korean pancake) Vendor: This vendor specializes in pancake-style dishes, which are perfect for those who enjoy sharing a variety of small dishes.

- Corn Bread: Corn bread is available at a local store. I remember trying this dish on an exciting Saturday.

- Bagel Workshop: It's surprising to find a place selling bagels in the market. Although there are many bakeries around, it appears that many people still prefer to buy from here.

- Kalguksu (Knife-Cut Noodle) and Bibimbap Stalls: In the alley, you'll find stalls serving dishes like knife-cut noodles, bibimbap, and cold noodles. These are ideal for enjoying on cooler days, as the market can get quite hot during the summer.

- Monyeo Gimbap: Known for their addictive "mari" or rolled gimbap. It's famous for being the original "marriage gimbap" or "drug gimbap." Although my previous experience was just average, it's still a bustling place with lots of customers.

- Mango Jelly Vendor: Known for its popular mango jelly, I visited this shop specifically. I bought a 5,000-won pack. The jelly has a unique texture - not quite like Haribo gummy bears, but more gelatinous, and it's bursting with mango flavor.

- Discounted Mango Jelly: I walked over to Dongmyo, where there's a store that frequently offers discounted mango jelly due to approaching expiration dates. A pack that's originally priced at 5,000 won can be purchased here for 7,000 won.

That concludes my review of the food options and operating hours at Seoul's Gwangjang Market. Thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy review!